MEDIA ADVISORY
MICHAEL ERICKSON LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN FOR
CITY COUNCILLOR, WARD 14 (PARKDALE – HIGH PARK)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18 2010
Contact: Michael Erickson
416 531 9540
info@michaelerickson.org


TORONTO, ONTARIO – Local teacher, activist and poet Michael Erickson launches his campaign for City Councillor in Parkdale – High Park, Ward 14. Less than 3 weeks after declaring his candidacy, Erickson introduces his platform and vision and invites his supporters to celebrate his decision which is already sparking a new interest in municipal politics.


DATE:
Thursday July 22 2010

TIME:
7pm start
8:15pm speech

LOCATION:
1378 Queen St. West, Toronto
Blondie’s Cafe/Bar


The evening will start with short live performances, followed by a speech from Erickson then there will be DJs the rest of the night. This event is kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible.

For more information on Michael Erickson’ Four Areas of Focus and his experience, please see the campaign website: www.michaelerickson.org


# # #

Toronto Open Budget Initiative

Last night I attended the Toronto Open Budget Initiative’s public launch and candidate information session. The night began with the some impassioned and honest speeches as to why the City Budget should follow the 6 TOBI principles of: Inclusiveness; Accessibility; Integrity & Transparency; Influence; Accountability; and Flexibility & Transformation. It ended with a review of their Recommended Actions.
Because TOBI doesn’t have a website and I couldn’t find this all easily online, I have copied all the key TOBI information at the end of this message.

The Principles and Values of TOBI pretty much match my own value system so I am obvious supporter. The trick is, with a city the size of Toronto and a machine the size of the budget it’s going to be a long time before resident’s voices have any significant impact on how budget priorities and process are set. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying. Just because something is going to be complicated or messy doesn’t mean we should give up (if we did, how many of us would bother dating!). And there might not be immediate effects. In a world increasingly full of instant gratification, maybe this is a good exercise in change as a process.

I could go on about this, but instead I am going to share with you some of my favourite quotes from the speakers last night about the current state of the Toronto budget process and their hopes for the future.

On why we need to open up the budget to public feedback...
At this point, we don’t even get the chance to tell people what our dreams are


On why youth don’t feel invested in the budget process.....
Youth know the truth. They know the truth that their voices aren’t heard here.
Keegan Henry-Mathieu

On the lack of public consultation
The staff work on the budget for 9 months of the year. With their heads down and their doors closed.
Jane Mercer

On what’s changed under Miller.....
In the last few years, our opportunities for input have diminished
Jane Mercer

On a budget that doesn’t adapt to the changing needs of Toronto
Where is the growth? Where is the learning?

We are asking for a transformation of what democracy looks like in Toronto......we need a process that fits Toronto.
Melissa Wong

Responding to the idea that citizens won’t be able to cut from budgets
We can, as citizens, make hard decisions if they need to be made.....We need to have honest conversations with residents where it’s all on the table.
Melissa Wong

It’s not enough to be critical of what exists but to be constructive.
Winston Tinglin


I endorse the principles and values below. I am going to spend some time thinking about the recommended actions and I welcome your feedback as I reflect on my decision.

Toronto Open Budget Initiative: Declaration
Principles and Values

Given that a city’s budget reflects its priorities and aspirations, Toronto Open Budget Initiative (TOBI) believes a more open budget process will result in greater mutual understanding and a stronger commitment to our city among all residents. Therefore TOBI believes that the City of Toronto, including the Mayor and all City Councillors, should embrace and uphold a more open budget process that reflects all of the following principles and values.

Inclusiveness
• Equity-seeking groups and those not traditionally engaged are empowered to be an integral part of the budget process
• Opportunities for a diverse range of values and perspectives

Accessibility
• Process is accessible to residents of Toronto across the city, and throughout the entire budget process from beginning to end
• Barriers to participation are reduced
• Residents to have access and input into the entire budget cycle

Integrity and Transparency
• Openness and full disclosure in all aspects of the budget process including:
documentation, participation, communication, and decision-making

Influence
• Meaningful and timely input and participation of residents affects priorities, budget processes and decisions
• Provide space and time to weigh options and develop common understandings through an open public process

Accountability
• City to create accountability mechanisms and measurements that are accessible to residents

Flexibility and Transformation
• Openness to consider new ideas, existing and new budget process models
• Results lead to a democratic, resident-centred, open budget process

2010/11 Recommended Actions
Working within the above principles, the Toronto Open Budget Initiative recommends the following actions to be taken to make immediate improvements to the budget process:

Beginning in April of every year, public meetings to be held with City staff at Division level; with Agencies, Boards, Commissions, and Corporations; and on a city-wide basis. Where:
o City to present priorities and issues
o Residents to present their priorities and issues
o City staff to document residents’ input and incorporate into budget decisions
o City to hold meetings in wards and locally

TOBI proposes that a mechanism be set up that will allow the Budget Committee to hold initial public deputations by October on budget recommendations and priorities.

Since capital expenditures affect resources in the current Operating Budget it is
important that the City releases both the Capital and Operating Budgets closer
together so that residents can consider the implications on each other.
o Both Capital and Operating recommended budgets be released before decisions are finalised on either

Recommended budgets are sent to standing committees for review and public deputations


The City should provide more detailed information about its financial position, and help the public access budget information by:
o Establishing a process to enable residents to request budget information from
staff
o Making an inventory of budget documents available to the public


The Civic Engagement Office in conjunction with the community and the Diversity Management and Community Engagement Office develop, resource and facilitate a Residents’ Budget Academy


The audit be tied to public outreach, including:
o More understandable budget materials in process and audit
o Make the audit more user-friendly


Apply the City of Toronto Equity Lens to the City budget and report on the resulting equity analysis

To find out more about the Budget and Civic Engagement, this site might be a good place to start: http://www.toronto.ca/civic-engagement/civics101/index.htm

A Hint of Things To Come

I made my campaign Facebook group public today. You can check it out HERE. You can see my Four Areas of Focus and my experience before the rest of the world does on my website.

My website will be launched at the end of next week. The official campaign launch party will be Thursday July 22nd....more details coming soon!

Prologue

Prologue

On Friday July 2nd I got off the streetcar in front of Nathan Phillips Square. I bought some fries from the chip wagon, doused it in more salt and vinegar than is probably healthy and then I sat down. I took my time eating my fries, looking at all the people, sneaking a few glances at the building and paying attention to my emotions.

And everything felt just right.

Once I was done eating, I put on my ipod and searched for just the right song for the moment. Then I found it - “If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out” by Cat Stevens. Feeling no doubt or fear, I slowly walking in the building and signed a few papers that would change my life.

At 12:55 pm on July 22nd 2010 I became a candidate for City Councillor in Ward 14, Parkdale – High Park.

I walked out and sent a few texts messages. And I was a little surprised. I didn’t feel excited, giddy or a rush of adrenaline. I just felt very, very calm. And then I knew for certain that I had made one of the best decisions in my life.

Thanks for reading this blog. I can’t promise I will post consistently because the next 3 months are going to be filled with wonder and unpredictability. But if you and I both do our best, I’m sure it’ll all work out alright.

test....

I spent some wonderful time today at the Civil Liberties Day of Action and then later at Afrofest.